Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Chromium Sensitization in
an Artist's Workshop

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH)
recently evaluated a case of chromium sensitization involving an
artist who had made and dyed quilts in her home studio. The artist
had symptoms of mucous-membrane irritation; burning and itching of
her
arms, face, and hands; and edema of the face and fingers. These
symptoms were associated with exposure to the cyanotype
image-transfer
process.

The cyanotype process, often referred to as the "blueprint" or
"ferroprussiate" process, is a technique for transferring images
from
a photographic negative to cloth or paper. Ferric ammonium citrate
and potassium ferricyanide are combined with water to form a
photosensitive mixture that is then painted on fabric. A
photographic
negative is placed over the fabric, and the area is exposed to
direct
sunlight for 10-30 minutes until the pattern outline turns blue on
the
fabric as a result of ultraviolet radiation. The color is fixed by
dipping the fabric in a potassium dichromate solution, rinsing it
in
water, and setting it out to dry.

The artist reported that she had first used the cyanotype
process
in June 1978. Shortly thereafter, she noticed a tingling sensation
of
her hands and skin when she handled the chemicals; these symptoms
became more marked each time she dyed fabric. She discontinued use
of
the process in the summer of 1979. The symptoms, however, recurred
each time she had contact with fabrics that had been dyed using the
cyanotype process or when she had other direct or indirect contact
with materials used in the process. Her symptoms abated when she
was
away from home, provided she did not take any of the treated cloth
with her. Symptoms were most severe when the fabric was being
stitched by hand into a quilt and when she had extensive contact
with
dyed fabrics while threading needles and knotting threads.

Air, fabric, and wipe samples of the artist's work areas were
collected. Analysis of the air and fabric samples indicated no
detectable levels of hexavalent chromium ("chromium VI"). The
analytical method used for fabric samples had a detection limit of
10
parts/million for "chromium VI." However, a highly sensitive
qualitative spot test indicated contamination caused by "chromium
VI"
at the workbench, above the washbasin, on implements used in the
process, and on treated fabrics.
Reported by the Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Br, Div
of
Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, NIOSH, CDC.

Editorial Note

Editorial Note: Potassium dichromate, which is used as a fixer in
the
cyanotype process, contains "chromium VI" in soluble form.
"Chromium
VI" is an irritant that has been found to cause rhinitis,
nosebleed,
ulcerated nasal mucosa, and perforated nasal septum (1). It is also
a
potent sensitizer, and allergic dermatitis with varying degrees of
eczema has been reported frequently (2,3) for persons exposed to
"chromium VI."

Exposure to many toxic chemicals is possible in the pursuit of
arts and crafts (4-6), a popular hobby and means of making a
livelihood in the United States. In this instance the artist's
exposure problem was exacerbated by her lack of knowledge of toxic
reactions. The instructions available to her stated that the
process
required use of dangerous chemicals that must be handled with care
and
kept out of the reach of children. The instructions also suggested
that rubber gloves be worn. However, neither the instructions nor
the
container of potassium dichromate provided any information
regarding
the strong hypersensitivity reactions that might be induced by
potassium dichromate. Proper labeling might have led to earlier
intervention and a solution to the problem.

Finally, it is important to note that potassium ferricyanide
may
form cyanide gas when exposed to heat, acid, or ultraviolet light.
Since some artists use carbon arcs when doing the cyanotype process
indoors, care must be taken to ensure that confined work areas are
properly ventilated so that any lethal hydrogen cyanide gas
produced
will be completely removed.

Carnow B. Health hazards in the arts and crafts. Chicago:
Hazards in the Arts, 1976.

McCann M. Health hazards manual for artists. New York:
Foundation for the Community of Artists, 1978.

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